The Sharks notched their first win of the Super 14 season when they beat the Highlanders 30-16 at Carisbrook on Saturday night.
They achieved their fifth-consecutive win over the Highlanders as they scored three tries to one and Ruan Pienaar kicked 15 points.
The Highlanders seemed travel-weary on their return from South Africa while the Sharks, who had spent the week in Queenstown, were a revitalised team in the second spell.
Pienaar and new fullback Patrick Lambie were outstanding in the Sharks backs while Ryan Kankowski and Bismarck du Plessis had strong games in the forwards.
The Highlanders were unlucky not to at least gain a bonus point but they failed to take their chances.
Israel Dagg, Ben Smith and Jimmy Cowan were the best of the backs while Robbie Robinson had a promising debut.
Lock Josh Bekhuis and Adam Thomson were prominent in the forwards.
There was one late change to the Sharks, Springbok captain John Smit replacing the flu-ridden Tendai Mtawarira at loose-head prop on a calm, mild evening.
The Sharks survived early pressure and halfback Pienaar kicked an angled penalty after eight minutes to open the scoring.
The Highlanders dominated early territory and Dagg finally turned it into points with a penalty after 17 minutes.
But the Sharks regained the lead after 23 minutes when, after lock Alistair Hargreaves and flanker Keegan Daniel made ground, prop du Plessis was awarded a try against the goalpost padding.
Pienaar converted and the Sharks led 10-6.
It was a half of lost opportunities for the Highlanders who had 67 percent of the territory and spent seven minutes in the Sharks' 22 but came away tryless.
Dagg kicked his third penalty 10 minutes into the second spell to reduce the gap to just one point but Pienaar restored the Sharks' four-point lead with his second penalty three minutes later.
Both teams were guilty of poor handling and decision-making and the anxiety of their poor records was clearly evident in much of their play.
The Sharks employed a ground-eating rolling maul a few minutes after which Pienaar kicked his third penalty to extend the lead to 16-9.
The Sharks forwards increased their work rate in the second spell and it was no surprise when, after six phases, veteran wing Stefan Terblanche crashed through two tackles to score the second try.
Pienaar converted beautifully from the sideline and the Sharks led 23-9.
The Highlanders finally scored their first try 13 minutes from the end when, from a set scrum, right wing Smith took the ball on the burst from Jimmy Cowan and showed immense determination to force his way over.
Dagg converted and it was 23-16.
Four minutes from the end the Highlanders launched a brilliant move from a lineout but the television match official, Colin Hawke, ruled touch in goal as Fetu'u Vainikolo was taken in Kankowski's tackle as he dived for the line.
But a minute later centre Adian Jabobs intercepted Jayden Hayward's pass and sprinted 40 metres to the line. Pienaar converted and the Sharks had an unassailable 30-16 lead.
Highlanders 16
Try: Smith
Con: Dagg
Pen: Dagg3
Sharks 30
Tries: B duPlessis, Terblanche, Jacobs
Con: Pienaar 3
Pen: Pienaar 3
HT:10-6